Okay so recently at a yard sale I got some really soft fleece for a great price. They are large pieces, so I was thinking of using a piece of one as batting for my Funky Chicken Quilt, but then I was thinking it might be kind of fun to use it as the backing without batting in between. i was planning on doing a rustic hand quilt, with bigger, but not too big, stitching with large pearl cotton thread. I am thinking that might look kind of neat on the fleece and it wouldn't make the quilt too heavy. I was thinking I would bind in the normal fashion. I want brutally honest opinions, especially if you have tried using fleece in this way.

Here is a pic of my quilt top before it was sewed if you are interested!

What a wonderful quilt! I hope you're keeping it for yourself. _:) _

I used fleece a couple of times for a quilt back. Works great but I'd advise washing the quilt top first, unless you've pre-washed your fabric, because the fleece will not shrink. I quilted using my domestic machine, regular weight thread, and the stitching sinks into the fleece and really isn't visible. Didn't bother me .... I only wanted the top stitching to be seen anyways. A fleece back will make it soft & cozy without being heavy. Have fun working with it!

i have used fleece to back a couple quilts,,,the kids call them the 'get-naked' quilts because they are so soft...it is VERY HARD to hand stitch through, i machine quilted mine. so i guess, try it but pearl cotton is so heavy, and the fleece plus cotton is hard to hand stitch through...makes a great back though.

You may want to keep an eye on your bobbin are for extra lint from the fleece :wink:

I don't know how easy it will be to handquilt the fleece... maybe try it on a scrap piece first before cutting the fleece to fit? The thicker Pearl cotton thread may show up, depending on your stitches, but even if it doesn't it will be beautiful on the front :D:D:D

Binding it traditionally does give it a more finished edge, and you don't have to worry about the fleece stretching, either :D

Just be cautious if using a hoop, some fleece is stretchier than others, try to not stretch it too much, spray basting first might help too :D:D:D

I made several 'cheater' quilts before I started piecing, using fabric on one side and fleece on the other and just did minimal machine stitching to hold it all together. Did not wash first or stitch close enough together, so there was a great deal of floppiness and wrinkles, but the kids still loved the softness and the fact that I found fabric with their current favorite character.

Your quilt is so darn cute!! I am using fleece tomorrow for the first time. My 2-year GD requested a froggy blanket. I found cute froggy fleece at Joann's so will just tie the front and back together. simple and quick!

I've done fleece a couple of times. I like it a ton!! I think it makes the quilts snuggly without being too heavy.

I love using fleece as backing for anything that someone might want to cuddle up with on the sofa! I have always had good experiences using fleece. I generally tie those quilts.

Love your chicken top! Is this a commercial pattern, or did you assemble all the chicken varieties yourself?

I use fleece quite frequently for baby and cuddle quilts -- it is so much softer and warmer. Keep in mind there are different kinds of fleece; make sure to use one that's marked as Anti-Pill. It will wash better and stay newer looking (and softer) longer.

Love your chickens by the way! Are they your own patterns?

Your quilt is so cute!

cool

Thanks!! These were made by fellow board members actually!! We had a Funky Chicken swap not too long ago.

Rachel

Thanks for the pictures!!! Looks like it worked really well for you, this may work out pretty good after all!! did you put anything between the fleece and the top?

Thanks!
Rachel

I didn't put anything in between the top and the backing. I did mine "Envelope style" -- stitching front to back with right sides together, leaving a little opening in the bottom to pull it through (much like making a purse w/lining) -- make sure that once you pull the right sides back out that you PIN, PIN, PIN -- the more the better -- it's a little 'slickery' while quilting...